The Lost Generation
The Roaring 20's:
Societal changes
During the 1920's, the youth became known as "the lost generation," due to their mistrust of their elder role models. These young people were tired of their lives on the farm and many flocked into the cities. In the cities, the youth began to reinvent themselves.
Through this reinvention, the flapper appeared. Due to the massive loss of men in World War I and new roles of woman in the workplace, young girls no longer wanted to follow the usual roles of society. They wanted to live their lives to the fullest. So they cut their hair into a new popular style called the Bob. They put on skimpy styles that often got them arrested for indecent exposure. They wore silk stockings and exposed their legs and knees. They painted their faces with make-up, went to all night parties without a man to look after them, drove motor cars, voted, and smoked in public places. The most shocking activity that the flapper engaged in was drinking alchhol, even though it was outlawed.
The outrageous behaviors and lawlessness prompted mother groups to form such as the Anti-Flirt League. These mothers were protesting against the acts of their young daughters.
THe popular hairstyle of the
flapper, the bob.
The Age of Jazz
As a part of the 1920's culture and renewed youth,, jazz became a poplular music in this time period. Thanks to the invention of the radio, this type of music spread quickly in the white, middle class communities.
Jazz, which orginated in New Orleans by African Americans, became a national phenonmenon. Famous artists such a Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington appeared.
Dances that would make the older generation blush became popular too. The Jitterbug and the Charleston were often performed in the secret bars of this time.